Thinking about a 1999-2001 996 ??

Rodney Nelson · Rodney Nelson's Garage

Not much action over on the 964/993/996 board so I figured I would post over here.

First, I don't want to hear any bashing of water pumpers please. I have had my fill of the air cooled 911 and I actually need a car with decent A/C living here in Phoenix....

So here it goes.....

What are the issues or concerns associated with buying a 1999, 2000, 2001 996?

I am thinking about purchasing one with 35K miles or less.

Any help would be appreciative and yes before I make my final descision I will keep in mind all like priced 993

450knotOffice · 450knotOffice's Garage

Hey, I'm right there with ya. I'm looking to pick up a 2002 996 C4S in a few months or so.

I'd say the issues are:

Rear Main Seal (RMS) issues with the earlier cars, although all of the real experts I've spoken with say it's been blown way out of proportion.

No cupholders until 2002.

Old style "fried egg" headlight (later updated to turbo style).

Jeff Alton · 02-14-2006, 03:20 PM

I actually prefer the early headlight. I find the later and turbo ones a little "droopy", but that is just me! They are nice cars to drive.

Cheers

Doug&Julie · 02-14-2006, 04:13 PM

I've heard some (probably overblown) reports of the 99 cars having some blown motor problems. Some people say, if at all possible, stick with the '01 and later to avoid this. Although I've read of a lot of very happy early 996 owners who even regularly track their cars. I DO know that the interiors improved a little bit in '00 and newer...especially if you end up looking at a car with a tan interior.

RMS is overblown. IF it happens...it's an oil leak. Wait until the next clutch change and get the newest seal then. Should fix it.

The newer cars are ones I might suggest trying to buy a dealership to get the certified extended warranty. You just never know with the new technology...stuff can go wrong. Of course, in lieu of that, be sure to get a good PPI.

Rennlist.com has a pretty comprehensive 996 section that gets a lot of regular traffic. Check it out!

Good luck, they're great cars!

klaucke · 02-14-2006, 04:29 PM

While the RMS issue very well may be blown out of proportion, and it can be fixed relatively easily, I think it should be noted that the updated seal seems more like a band-aid that addressing the symptoms and doesn't actually fix the problem-- that the wet-sump motors (those are 996 but not GT2, GT3, and Turbo) don't have the 8-main bearing crank of all prior 911s, and the crankshaft is apparently not properly supported at the end, leading to the leaks.

Rodney Nelson · Rodney Nelson's Garage

Yeah, I would like to get a 2002 but it really starts to get out of my price range really quick. I was thinking about 42K or less.

What do you guys think about maintenane issues compared with that of the 993?

Thanks for your input.

Doug&Julie · 02-15-2006, 01:08 PM

I can only speak from Boxster ownership, but as they're both "new" cars, they should pretty much be the same. Anywho...I got an oil change in my Boxster once a year. That was it. If you buy well, the newer cars are as maintenance free as any Porsche can be. 15k oil changes (or once a year). 30k and 60k service. I never burned any oil in my Boxsters. Never any leaks. (Blew an engine, but that's another story...

)

Rodney Nelson · Rodney Nelson's Garage

Doug,

Thanks for your input. Speaking about Boxsters, you can't really find anything negative about them maintenance wise that would stop you from buying one. I think this goes with the 996s as well. I can see from your signiture that you have owned a variety of Porsches in the past. A true Porsche fanatic as I am myself.

Doug&Julie · 02-16-2006, 03:01 AM

Happy to help. Sometimes on these boards it's hard to find a fan of the newer cars. They really are excellent. Of course they are cars...i.e. complicated machines in which things can go wrong. But they're still excellent.

I like your collection history! I'd love to experience more models in the future. I've got back and forth a bit on whether to have a "new" car or the "charm" of an older one. Inevitably, when I have the older ones, I get "new" car envy. And when I have the new cars, I miss having an older one. If things go well, I'm hoping to have the best of both worlds...I'd like to add a Boxster S by the end of this year. (...or a 996, if I can afford one.) I miss driving a Porsche every day...

Doug&Julie · 02-16-2006, 03:02 AM

Oh, and with a good set of winter tires, they make great winter cars, too!

K9Torro · 02-16-2006, 03:37 AM

Hey Rodney ,

Don't know at what stage of the buying you are at , but I have a 99 speed yellow 996 with mid 30's mileage that I am in the process of putting on the market in the next few weeks. If you are interested let me know, it is a C2 six speed standard options and equipment, super clean inside and out,

Todd

PS... only reason for selling is a new car on order

armandodiaz · armandodiaz's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by K9Torro
Hey Rodney ,

Don't know at what stage of the buying you are at , but I have a 99 speed yellow 996 with mid 30's mileage that I am in the process of putting on the market in the next few weeks. If you are interested let me know, it is a C2 six speed standard options and equipment, super clean inside and out,

Todd

PS... only reason for selling is a new car on order

What $$$ are you thinking about, I may be interested.

Since I brought up $$$, can anyone explain the huge price gaps? I've seen early 996s go from 28K to 35K. Milage around the 70-80K mark. Is this something to stay away from?

K9Torro · 02-16-2006, 07:23 AM

Not 100 % sure as yet but somewhere around 35K maybe a little less or more but not much either way, have to do a little research on it before I list, just rather not mess with Epay this time.

Todd

Rodney Nelson · Rodney Nelson's Garage

Hey Todd,

I'm not quite ready just yet, I will be making my move in 3 months for sure. Your price range sounds good.